Terrorism, Violent Extremism Threat to ECOWAS, Says Commandant Kofi Centre

•Nextier Report: Over 5000 casualties, 3110 kidnapping between Jan 2023 and March 2024

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Commandant, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Maj. Gen. Richard Gyane, has described violent extremism and terrorism (VET) as the biggest threat to the ECOWAS subregion, Africa and humanity.

Gyane stated this in Abuja during a chat with journalists during a mobile training course on women, youth, and VET, organized by KAIPTC on Wednesday.

Also, Nextier, in its first quarter 2024 Nigeria Violent Conflicts Report, stated there were 5,319 casualties, 3,110 kidnap victims, and 1,500 Incidents of violent conflict between January 2023 and March 2024,

However, Commandant Gyane said the security challenges in West Africa had informed KAIPTC’s decision to organise the capacity building for women and youth to build their resilience to tackle terrorism.

He said the training organised in collaboration with the Norwegian Government, would empower women and youth with the requisite knowledge about terrorists’ operations and build their resilience against VET threats.

“If you look at our subregion now, violent extremism is a big threat to us. If you look at the Sahel nations, most of these countries are virtually taken over by violent groups.

“If you look at Nigeria and the Boko Haram group, and the movement of these groups southwards, it is worrisome.

“Why are we particular about women and youth? They become vulnerable. These are the most vulnerable groups in our society, who are subject to radicalization by VETs.

“The aim is to engage these women and youth especially and let them understand the issues, the recruitment and all that about these groups who want to destroy our humanity within the subregion,” Gyane said.

Nextier, in its first quarter 2024 Nigeria Violent Conflicts Report on Wednesday, said there are 5,319 casualties, 3,110 kidnap victims, 1,500 Incidents of violent conflict between January 2023 and March 2024,

The organisation’s Senior Policy Research Analyst, Kenn Maduagwu, while presenting the report in Abuja, lamented that despite decline in Boko Haram’s insurgency, the continued threat from ISWAP, evolving tactics, and underlying vulnerabilities had shown that terrorism remained a significant concern in Nigeria for 2024.

He said: “While fatalities have decreased in 2023, the overall toll remains significant. The conflict has resulted in widespread displacement of people, which can exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and push families deeper into poverty.”

The report also showed gunmen attacks, banditry, farmer-herder conflict and kidnapping remain high risk conflicts across the country while civil unrest, maritime piracy, armed robbery, secessionism and communal clashes are low risk conflicts witnessed in the country.

“criminal gangs and terrorist groups will continue to use ransom kidnap as a means to finance their operations. The current ongoing agitation and government response might persist without significant changes, potentially leading to prolonged tension and instability,” the report stated.

Ndubuisi Nwokolo, a Partner at Nextier lamented the multifaceted impact of the conflicts, ranging from economic devastation to threats on education and humanitarian crises.